Austin, TX, WPH Press, 7/14/25
The University of Texas Handball Team was proud to present the 2025 Longhorn Classic at the Gregory Gym on the campus of the University of Texas on the second weekend in July.
Texas handball legend Adam Bernhard entered the 2025 Longhorn Classic as the top seed, having won dozens of open tournaments at Gregory Gym throughout his dominant Texas run. Bernhard would advance to the final in the upper bracket with a swift two-game semifinal sweep against Steven Mendoza, while second-seeded Holden Smith was efficient in his two-game semifinal win against Iglaser Galindo.
Smith has never defeated Bernie entering the Longhorn final but has been closing the Bernie gap in the last year. Holden entered the final on a mission and would not be denied.
“Pure win for Holden,” stated WPH ambassador Noel Aguilar. “First game was close but no one was surprised when Holden took it. The second game was also close but Adam stayed slightly ahead throughout and was able to close it out without issue. Breaker was close and they seemed pretty evenly matched. After 6-6, Adam ran the score up to 9-6, but Holden played very motivated handball and was able to score the last five points he needed to claim his first tournament win against Adam.”
“Holden played very well,” stated Bernie. “Lots of good shots and mostly won by being consistent and never letting up. He earned it.”
Semifinals
Bernhard def Mendoza 21-4, 21-5
Smith def Galindo 21-13, 21-5
Final: Smith def Bernhard 21-5, 15-21, 11-9
Follow all of the brackets from the 2025 Longhorn Classic HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer